Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection at Remington College-Memphis Campus

Remington College-Memphis sits in an awkward position: its construction management certificate costs more than most similar programs nationwide (only 5% of schools charge more in debt), yet graduates earn about $2,000 less than the national median. At first glance, that's a red flag. However, within Tennessee's construction training landscape, this program actually matches the state median for both earnings and debt—it's the 60th percentile for earnings among Tennessee programs, meaning it outperforms many in-state alternatives.

The math works better than it appears. A $9,500 debt load against $26,736 in first-year earnings creates a manageable 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about four months of gross salary. For a program serving predominantly low-income students (91% receive Pell grants), that's accessible. The real concern is the modest earning potential itself—$26,736 doesn't leave much room for loan payments and living expenses, even if the debt is technically manageable.

If your child is committed to staying in Memphis and needs credentials quickly for construction work, this certificate won't bury them in debt. But they should know they're paying above-average prices for below-average national outcomes. Before enrolling, verify whether local employers actually value this credential or if apprenticeships and on-the-job training offer better paths into the field at lower cost.